27 February 2011

Nigeria is a large country located in West Africa whose name is taken from its namesake the Niger River, which plays an important part in the daily lives of those who live there. Not only is the river an important transportation highway, it is also an excellent source of fish, including carp, Nile perch, and catfish. It also provides much needed irrigation for cultivating crops. A large part of Nigeria lies in the tropics, where fruits are abundant. Some of the popular fruits we are familiar with are oranges, melons, grapefruits, limes, mangoes, bananas, and pineapples. It seems that food would be be abundant but to put it into context, my Lonely Planet travel guide states that food in West Africa “is more a question of survival rather than enjoyment”. The "hungry season" is before the rains arrive in March, and the "season of surplus" follows the harvest in October and November. It would be a difficult place for a self-professed “foodie”.

Nigeria is the continent's most populous country as well as one of its most diverse. There are such a variety of people and cultures with each area having its own regional favourites that can depend on customs, tradition, and religion. With over 250 ethnic groups, the traditional dishes may vary from region to region, and some elements, like pork meat may not even be served in a Muslim family, while in others may be much appreciated. The different foods available also depend on the season.

Popular dishes of the area are jollof rice, dodo (fried plantains), fufu, or iyan (mashed yams), and moin moin (a bean pudding). Yams, cassava, rice and sorghum are common starches, while tomatoes, peppers, onions, peanuts and beans are important vegetables. Rich red palm oil flavours many dishes all washed down with a thirst-quenching Zobo, a drink from hibiscus blooms.

I have read that people of northern Nigeria favour meat kebabs, and enjoy grain meals as side dishes. This is where the inspiration comes from for my foray into Nigerian cuisine with Joan of FOODalogue and her Culinary Tour 2011.

My chosen dish for Joan's last challenge is Suya which originates in the northern regions of Nigeria where it was the specialty of the Hausas tribes. Today Suya is found on every street corner in Nigeria, a common late night delicacy, but is also sold during the day by countless street vendors. The meat is marinated with a unique blend of spices before being slow-roasted over open flames without ever directly touching the fire. The result is mouth-watering morsels of spice-induced tender chicken, beef, or pork on a stick.

I do have to stay it was very tasty and I will definitely repeat my foray into Nigerian cooking many more times. Nothing like firing up the barbecue in the middle of a Canadian winter to get the creative juices flowing!!! I served my Suya with some cracked wheat salad and grilled red onions in true Nigerian fashion. I read recently from someone who was spending a year in Nigeria on a missions trip that, "Many Nigerians could not fathom the excess of food in the West – it would simply boggle their minds. “So much food!” they would say, “Could I please have some rice and beans?”

Grind the peanuts in a food processor or blender, being careful not to grind them too much. Give the peanuts 4 or 5 good quick pulses, else you will end up with more of a peanut butter from all the natural oil in the peanuts. Mix in the ginger, garlic, onion powder, chili powder, and paprika and mix well.

Cube the chickens into small chunks and mix the chicken in with the peanut mixture, making sure the chicken is evenly coated. Place the cubed chicken onto skewers and place back in the refrigerator for 2 to 4 hours.

Prepare the grill for medium direct grilling and placed skewered chicken onto the grill. Grill until the chicken is done,make sure to flip the skewers occasionally and make sure that the peanut mixture does not burn too much.

Serve with a side of North African Cracked Wheat Salad topped off with some grilled red onions.

**North African Cracked Wheat Salad**

This salad is a cook's dream because it must be made the day before serving to allow the cracked wheat to "cook" in the lemon juice. Cracked wheat is very similar in nutrition and texture to bulgur. It is the whole kernel broken in small pieces, but it is not precooked. I allow the salad to marry in the refrigerator and only mixing all of the ingredients at the last minute to retain the fresh taste. If you would rather eat it on the same day it is made, cook the cracked wheat in boiling salted water for 2 minutes, then drain through a fine sieve. Proceed with the recipe, but serve immediately without refrigerating.

In a large bowl, combine the cracked wheat, lemon juice, and oil. Mix well. Add the tomatoes, red peppers, green peppers, cucumbers, celery, scallions, parsley, and mint in layers. Season with the salt and black pepper.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or until the wheat has softened. Toss well to combine ingredients.

You are reading this post on More Than Burnt Toast at http://morethanburnttoast.blogspot.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author/owner of More Than Burnt Toast. All rights reserved by Valerie Harrison.

Evertything look delicious! Haven't been around for a while... Love the Nigerian salad and the lasagna. Can't wait to start cooking & blogging more often again, for now baby Ella is taking all my time and energy ;)

I remember my 3rd grade teacher doing a very long unit on Nigeria. I remember being fascinated by it because I had never really looked so hard at an African country before, but unfortunately, that's all I remember is that we studied it! Thanks for taking me back there in my head. The chicken looks great. I love the peanut coating.

i had no idea that nigerian food was so appealing! the chicken preparation sounds great, and i'm definitely intrigued by the salad. if your goal was to get at least one person to try nigerian food, consider that goal met! :)

The cracked wheat salad is so similar to Tabulleh - not so surprising. Great flavours here. Oz's post was so informative, too. This country has been the biggest eye opener for me as there are so many new spices, flavours and traditions I am learning. I love that!The chicken looks YUMMY!:)Valerie

Great post and since your choice doesn't have too exotic ingredients ... is there any reason not to cook them? I will certainly do so. The kebabs are screaming for a veganized version and the cracked wheat salad sounds so yummie. Thanks for posting these lovely recipes :)

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My blog More Than Burnt Toast has been my passion for almost 9 years and has evolved with me over time as I have gained confidence in the kitchen. Follow my travels through Italy and Greece one recipe at a time, upcoming cooking classes at local Okanagan wineries and restaurants, as well as daily experimentation in my own kitchen. Every day we should be excited about what we are eating even if it just means making use of a wonderful find at our local farmers market. I look forward to getting to know you.